Drivers urged to think twice on using bullbars

Motorists have been asked to think carefully before fitting bullbars to vehicles that do not need them.

Although bullbars could prevent damage to vehicles in minor crashes, they could do a lot of damage to people in high-speed crashes, said the Land Transport Safety Authority.

"Bullbars tend to be stiff and concentrate crash forces into a smaller area," said authority director David Wright.

"This can make injuries to pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and other motorists much worse in a crash."

Bullbars could reduce the effectiveness of "crumple zones" in vehicles, which meant more of the crash energy could reach passengers, increasing the risk of injury.

They could also affect the timing of airbags operating in high-speed crashes or cause them to open prematurely in minor crashes.

People who thought they needed bullbars for work or off-roading were urged to look for those that had been tested and certified by the vehicle's manufacturer as being compatible with the airbag system.

- NZPA